Request_for_Qualifications:_On-Call_Specific_Consultant_Disciplines.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION

2026-PURB RFQual-0025

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS: ON-CALL SPECIFIC

CONSULTANT DISCIPLINES

County of Sacramento

9660 Ecology Lane

Sacramento, CA 95827

RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2026

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: March 30, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: April 9, 2026, 2:00 pm

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/saccounty https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/%7bproject.government.code%7d

County of Sacramento

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION

Request for Qualifications: On-Call Specific Consultant Disciplines

1. Introduction

2. General Rules

3. Scope of Work

4. Evaluation and Selection

5. SOQ Format and Content

6. Evaluation Criteria

7. Vendor Submissions

Attachments:

A - Sample County Agreement

B - Proprietary Agreement

C - ASD Scope and Deliverables Standard Requirements

Request For Qualification #2026-PURB RFQual-0025 Title: Request for Qualifications: On-Call Specific Consultant Disciplines

1. Introduction

1.1. Summary

The County of Sacramento ("County") Department of General Services ("DGS") is soliciting Statements of

Qualifications ("SOQ") from local specialty consulting firms (as listed under Section 3. Scope of Work), for the purpose of establishing a pre-qualified list for future projects. These projects encompass a wide variety of County owned and operated facilities including jails, youth detention facilities, courthouses, administration buildings, libraries, medical facilities, and parks and recreation facilities.

Qualified consultants may be hired to assist County engineers and architects in completing projects identified in the DGS Capital Improvements Plan.

1.2. Background

Every three (3) years the Architectural Services Division ("ASD") advertises for architectural, engineering and specialty consultant firms interested in doing work for the County. The result of the solicitation establishes pre-qualified firms to work on on-call discipline specific Board approved projects.

The new pre-qualified list will be used primarily for architectural and engineering design projects where the specific disciplines may be required and consultant fees are estimated at less than $250,000. See

Section 3. Scope of Work for a list of disciplines solicited under this Request for Qualifications

("RFQual"). Consultants are not guaranteed work either implied or presumed related to this RFQual.

As County staff develops preliminary project scopes and estimates of the approved work, the County's project manager will initiate consultant agreements as-needed by requesting a proposal that defines the scope of work, maximum cost, schedule, terms of payments, deliverables, work site, personnel or subconsultant(s) to be utilized (where applicable), and other pertinent details. Upon approval of the consultant's proposal, an authorization will be issued to the selected consultant.

1.3. Contact Information

Any inquiries or requests regarding this solicitation must be submitted via OpenGov. Contact with unauthorized County personnel during the selection process may result in disqualification.

Maria Real

BPC II

Email: realm@saccounty.gov

Phone: (000) 000-0000

Department:

General Services

Department Head:

Joshua Green

Director mailto:realm@saccounty.gov tel:(000)000-0000

1.4. Timeline

Release Project Date March 19, 2026

Question Submission Deadline March 30, 2026, 5:00pm

Proposal Submission Deadline April 9, 2026, 2:00pm

2. General Rules

2.1. Important Instructions for Electronic Submittal

The County is accepting electronic Statement of Qualifications ("SOQ") submissions. Responders shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at Sign Up (opengov.com). Once you have completed account registration, browse back to this page, click on "Draft Response", and follow the instructions to submit your SOQ electronically.

2.2. General Rules

2.2.1 Overview

This Request for Qualifications ("RFQual") is an invitation for responders to submit an SOQ to the

County. This RFQual does not commit the County to award a contract to any responder. Submission of an SOQ shall neither obligate nor entitle a responder to enter into a contract with the County.

2.2.2 SOQ format and content

When submitting an SOQ, responders must follow the format and contents detailed in Section 5. SOQ

Format and Content. Failure to do so will likely prolong the evaluation process and could result in an

SOQ not being considered.

2.2.3 SOQ submission

SOQs must be received BEFORE 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2026 electronically via OpenGov. Failure to submit an SOQ on time may be grounds for rejection of the SOQ; however, the County reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to accept SOQs after the SOQ due date.

2.2.4 Questions and communication

Questions concerning this RFQual must be submitted in the project Q&A section in OpenGov

Procurement by 5:00 pmon Monday, March 30, 2026.

Questions received via phone or e-mail to direct points of contact for this RFQual will not be considered nor responded to. The County shall respond to questions properly submitted as described above via addenda, if the answer presents a material change to the solicitation, and/or via the Question & Answer section for non-material answers.

By submitting a response, proposer affirms review of all solicitation documents including all questions submitted and answers issued by the County on the project.

2.2.5 Addenda

The County reserves the right to modify this RFQual at any time prior to the SOQ due date. The County will modify the RFQual only by written addenda. SOQs should be based on this RFQual document and any formal written addenda. Responders should not rely on oral statements. Addenda will be posted in

OpenGov Procurement. It is the responsibility of each prospective responder to assure receipt of all addenda.

2.2.6 County's right to withdraw, cancel, suspend and/or modify RFQual

The County reserves the right to withdraw, cancel, suspend, and/or modify this RFQual for any reason https://procurement.opengov.com/signup and at any time with no liability to any prospective responder for any costs or expenses incurred in connection with the RFQual or otherwise.

2.2.7 Responder's right to edit or cancel SOQ

Responders may edit or cancel their SOQ in OpenGov Procurement prior to the due date.

2.2.8 SOQs will not be returned

Upon submission, SOQs will not be returned.

2.2.9 Public disclosure of SOQ documents

The County will treat all information submitted in an SOQ as available for public inspection once negotiations with the selected party have been completed. If copies of SOQs are included with Board materials, the County will make SOQs available for public inspection once staff has made a recommendation for award.

If a responder believes protected data is included in its SOQ, the responder shall clearly identify the data and provide the legal basis in support of the asserted classification. Responder must present such information separately as part of its SOQ OR type in bold red letters the term "CONFIDENTIAL" on that specific part or page of the SOQ which responder believes to be confidential. Classification of data as trade secret data will be determined pursuant to applicable law, and, accordingly, merely labeling data as "trade secret" does not necessarily make the data protected under any applicable law.

In order for the County to assert the confidentiality of any such information in the event a California

Public Record Act request is received, the responder must request, execute and submit a County-prepared written agreement to defend and indemnify the County for liability, costs and expenses incurred in asserting such confidentiality as part of the SOQ. A copy of that written agreement is attached as Attachment B.

The final determination of whether the County will assert a responder's claim of confidentiality shall be at the sole discretion of the County. Any information determined to be non-confidential shall be considered public record. If the County determines that your information does not meet the criteria for confidentiality, you will be notified of the County's intent to release the public record pursuant to any

California Public Records Act request.

Responder agrees, as a condition of submitting its SOQ, that the County will not, as between the parties, be liable or accountable for any loss or damage, which may result from a breach of confidentiality related to the SOQ. Responder agrees to indemnity and hold the County, its officials, agents, and employees harmless from all claims arising out of, resulting from, or in any manner attributable to any violation of any provision of the California Public Records Act, including legal fees and disbursements paid or incurred to enforce this provision.

2.2.10 Responder's costs

The County shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by responder in connection with this SOQ.

Responder shall bear all costs associated with SOQ preparation, submission, and attendance at interviews, or any other activity associated with this RFQual or otherwise.

2.2.11 Responder's ideas

To the extent permitted by law, the County reserves the right to use any or all ideas, concepts, or other information provided in any SOQs. Selection or rejection of the SOQ does not affect this right.

2.2.12 Collusion

If the County determines that collusion has occurred among responders, none of the SOQs of the participants involved in the collusion shall be considered. The County's determination shall be final.

2.2.13 Conflict of interest

Responder affirms that to the best of its knowledge the submission of its SOQ, or any resulting contract, does not present an actual or perceived conflict of interest. Responder agrees that should any actual or perceived conflict of interest become known, it will immediately notify the County and will advise whether it will or will not avoid, mitigate, or neutralize the conflict of interest.

The County may make reasonable efforts to avoid, mitigate, or neutralize a conflict of interest by a responder. To avoid a conflict of interest by a responder, the County may utilize methods including disqualifying a responder from eligibility for a contract award or cancelling the contract if the conflict is discovered after a contract has been issued. The County may, at its sole and absolute discretion, waive any conflict of interest.

3. Scope of Work

The Scope of Work under a particular project shall include, but not be limited to, project management, coordination, design, preparing drawings, specifications, calculations, cost estimates, schedules, studies, and reports for:

• Environmental Special Services o This includes but not limited to conducting phase 1 preliminary site assessments, installing groundwater monitoring wells, conducting soil borings, etc.

• Environmental Assessment and Oversight Services o This includes but not limited to asbestos, lead, mold, and hazardous material assessment and oversight remediation services, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) etc.

• Special Inspection Services

• Geotechnical Engineering

Consultants shall perform work in accordance with industry standards and the ASD Scope and Deliverables Standard Requirements as detailed in Attachment C as applicable:

• Project Management and Coordination, including Quality Control / Quality Assurance procedures

• Conceptual Studies and Reports

• Facility Assessments and Studies

• Construction Phase Services

• Additional Design Services

4. Evaluation and Selection

4.1 SOQ evaluation and recommendation for selection

The County reserves the following rights, to be exercised in the County’s sole and absolute discretion: 1) to determine whether any aspect of an SOQ satisfactorily meets the criteria established in this RFQual;

2) to seek clarification or additional information from any responder; 3) to negotiate, sequentially or simultaneously, pricing and/or terms with any responder or vendor; 4) to reject any or all SOQs with or without cause; 5) to waive any irregularities or informalities in a SOQ; 6) to cancel or amend by addenda this RFQual, in part or entirely; 7) to award multiple contracts to responders; and/or 8) award a contract to a vendor that did not submit an SOQ.

Evaluation of SOQs by a selection committee, evaluation panel, County staff, a technical advisory committee, or by another group, individual or entity is advisory only. The County of Sacramento Board of Supervisors or its designee may consider or reject such evaluation(s) for any or all SOQs. Such evaluations are for the sole benefit of the County of Sacramento Board of Supervisors or its designee, and as such, they are not binding upon the County, nor may they be relied upon in any way by a

Responder.

4.2 Evaluation of responsiveness

The County will consider all the material submitted by a responder to determine whether the responder’s offer is in compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in this RFQual. SOQs that do not comply with the provisions in this RFQual may be considered nonresponsive and may be rejected.

This includes but is not limited to the actual number of pages submitted per the SOQ as noted in Section

5. SOQ Format and Content.

4.3 Evaluation of responsibility

To determine whether a responder is responsible, the County will consider the responder’s general qualifications to perform the requested services in a satisfactory manner; financial responsibility;

integrity; skill; past performance; and ability. SOQs from responders considered non-responsible will be rejected.

4.4 Evaluation panel and evaluation criteria

An evaluation panel of approximately three (3) County staff is anticipated to be convened to review and rate submitted SOQs. The panel will evaluate SOQs by assessing each firm’s capabilities to meet the evaluation criteria described in Section 6. Evaluation Criteria. Higher scores will be given for how well firms demonstrate their ability to meet each criteria topic, with particular attention given to firm expertise, local staff availability to visit sites within the County on short notice, and positive responses from relevant references.

After review of each responsive SOQ, the County may award a contract to a successful

Responder(s) based on the evaluation criteria, or it may establish a short list of Responders for further consideration, See Section 4.5 below.

Responders should submit an SOQ that meets the format and criteria as outlined in Section 5. SOQ

Format and Content and Section 6. Evaluation Criteria.

4.5 Short List

After review of each responsive SOQ, the County may award a contract to a successful Responder based on the evaluation criteria, or it may establish a short list of Responders for further consideration. The short list of Responders may be asked to provide additional information. The short list of Responders may also be asked to attend an in-person or telephone interview/presentation, as determined by the

County in its sole discretion.

4.6 Execution of contract

The selected proposer shall execute an agreement with the County of Sacramento, using the standard consulting agreement (Attachment A). Any requested revisions, deletions, or additions, to the language in the attached sample agreement shall be clearly set forth in the SOQ for the County’s consideration.

Before a contract becomes effective between the County and any Responder, the contract award must be approved by the County Board of Supervisors or its designee. If for any reason the County Board of

Supervisors or its designee does not ratify and sign the contract, then there are no binding obligations whatsoever between the County and the responder relative to the proposed contract.

5. SOQ Format and Content

SOQs shall not exceed twelve (12) pages with 12 point font and must adhere to the following format:

5.1 Cover Letter

Responders must submit a cover letter that includes the following:

1. A statement that the SOQ and submitted rate sheets are effective for a period of three (3) years (the term of the RFQual) from the date the contract takes effect, unless any listed wages are impacted by changes to prevailing wage rates during the contract term.

2. A statement confirming that the Responder has reviewed and agrees to be bound by the County of Sacramento Terms and Conditions as outlined in the Sample County Agreement (Attachment A) including insurance provisions; or, alternatively, a statement confirming that the Responder has reviewed and agrees to be bound by County of Sacramento Terms and Conditions (Attachment A), excluding only those provisions that have been redlined for negotiation purposes and are included in their SOQ;

3. A statement confirming that the Responder has reviewed any additional requirements for projects requiring special funding such as ARPA or FHWA as described in Attachment A.

4. A statement that the Responder does not have an actual or perceived conflict of interest regarding this RFQual or in submission of their SOQ; or alternatively, a statement explaining any conflict of interest and how to avoid, mitigate or neutralize the conflict;

5. A statement that the Responder’s proposal/solution meets all of the requirements as stated in Section 6. “Evaluation Criteria.”

6. A statement confirming that the Responder has reviewed ASD Scope and Deliverables Standard Requirements (Attachment C) in its entirety and can provide the services and quality of work as outlined in the document.

5.2 SOQ

The SOQ shall contain the following information (and in the same order):

1. Location of Office

Identify the location of office that meets this requirement

• Only Respondents within a 75-mile radius of the Architectural Services Division office will be considered.

2. Firm Profile

A brief profile of the Responder, including the size, organizational structure, history and years in professional service.

3. Qualifications of Staff

Resumes of management and key staff. Information for key staff must include:

• years of experience

• professional credentials

• education and certifications such as AIA, CASP, professional engineering licenses, applicable professional affiliations, etc.;

• expertise and capability for specific technical disciplines

• project management experience

• applicable professional experience on relevant projects, including public sector work (cross reference to experience listed in evaluation item #4 below).

• proficiency with Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat

• identify which key staff are based in the local office and their positions

*Resumes may be included as an appendix and are not included in the limit for number of pages in the

SOQ.

4. Experience on Public-Sector Projects

A narrative of the experience of the Responder with public sector experience in the State of California identifying:

• project name, scope of work, construction cost/consulting cost

• types of projects/departments (i.e. probation, airports, parks and recreation, medical or correctional/justice facilities).

• Client agency: Sacramento County or other public agency, department, and type of project.

5. References

Minimum of three (3) references for projects completed in the last five (5) years for whom the Responder has provided services similar to those described in this RFQual. The County reserves the right to check other references not provided by the Responder. The following information is required for each reference:

• customer name, address and phone number;

• applicable project name, construction cost and year completed

• point of contact (name, phone number, email) for contractual/administrative matters and technical performance;

• list of any reports or studies done for the project.

Responder must provide references where 1) the staff resources used are the same or mostly the same as those who will be used for the County’s purposes, and 2) the references are governmental organizations of similar size to the County. The County may request additional references from Responder.

6. Hourly Billing Rates

Responders shall submit a rate sheet for their firm and any subconsultants as applicable. Respondents are advised to take note of Section 5.1 item #1 regarding affirmation in the cover letter that hourly billing rate sheets shall be valid for the three-year term of any on-call agreement that may be awarded, unless any listed wages are impacted by changes to prevailing wage rates during the contract term.

Provide the hourly billable rates for all positions including, but not limited to, the following: Principal in Charge, Project Manager, Engineers, Drafters, Technicians, and other relevant classifications.

Submit rates in a tabular format which will be utilized in the Department’s On-Call Services Agreement.

*Note that rate sheets are a separate submittal document for this SOQ per Section 7.8 and may remain confidential. Rate sheets are not included in the number of pages limit for the SOQ.

6. Evaluation Criteria

The total score is based on awarded points multiplied by weight.

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Location of Office

Does the Responder’s team meet the required mileage requirement for Prime and subconsultants?

Did the Responder or select subconsultants meet the Requirement for hourly response but not necessarily mileage response?

0-10 Points 10 (12.3% of Total)

2. Professional Practice Years

How many years has the Responder been practicing the discipline submitted?

0-10 Points 10 (12.3% of Total)

3. SOQ Qualifications of Staff

Did Responder demonstrate applicable experience of management and key staff?

0-10 Points 20 (24.7% of Total)

4. Experience with Public Sector in the State of

California

Did Responder submit details for projects that demonstrate experience with Sacramento County and/or other public agencies?

Do the sample projects and overall experience match the discipline(s) of this RFQual?

0-10 Points 20 (24.7% of Total)

5. References

Rate the Responder’s references and overall impression

0-10 Points 20 (24.7% of Total)

6. Hourly Billing Rate Sheet(s)

Valid for three-year term if agreement is awarded.

Pass / Fail 1 (1.2% of Total)

7. Vendor Submissions

7.1. Question and Answer Attestation*

By selecting the confirm box below, this organization attests to reviewing all of the Questions and Answers posted on the OpenGov platform prior to submitting an SOQ.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

7.2. Request for Qualifications Requirements*

Did you read through and confirm that you met all of the RFQ requirements?

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

7.3. Certification of Independent Contractor Status*

"I hereby certify that the Contractor/Consultant firm employs five or more full-time employees. “Full-time”, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, means persons employed for 20 or more hours per week, and excludes temporary employees whose term of employment will be less than one (1) month.

This certification satisfies the Internal Revenue Service criteria for treatment of the above-named consultant as an independent contractor, not an employee for tax withholding purposes."

☐ Yes, I certify that the firm has five (5) or more full-time employees.

☐ No, I certify that the firm does not have five (5) or more full-time employees, and the firm provides services to the general public. (The County will conduct a tax determination review if this option is selected.)

*Response required

7.4. Contractor Certification of Compliance, part 1*

WHEREAS it is in the best interest of Sacramento County that those entities with whom the County does business demonstrate financial responsibility, integrity and lawfulness, it is inequitable for those entities with whom the County does business to receive County funds while failing to pay court-ordered child, family and spousal support which shifts the support of their dependents onto the public treasury.

Therefore, in order to assist the Sacramento County Department of Child Support Services in its efforts to collect unpaid court-ordered child, family and spousal support orders, the following certification must be provided by all entities with whom the County does business:

Contractor/Consultant hereby certifies that either:

☐ the Contractor/Consultant is a government or non-profit entity (exempt), or

☐ the Contractor/Consultant has no Principals Owners (25% or more) (exempt), or

☐ each Principal Owner (25% or more) does not have any existing child support orders, or

☐ Contractor/Consultants Principal Owners are currently in substantial compliance with any court-ordered child, family and spousal support order, including orders to provide current residence address, employment information, and whether dependent health insurance coverage is available. If not in compliance, Principal Owner has become current or has arranged a payment schedule with the

Department of Child Support Services or the court.

*Response required

7.5. Contractor Certification of Compliance, part 2*

New Contract/Consultant shall certify that each of the following statements is true:

a. Contractor/Consultant has fully complied with all applicable state and federal reporting requirements relating to employment reporting for its employees; and

b. Contractor/Consultant has fully complied with all lawfully served wage and earnings assignment orders and notices of assignment and will continue to maintain compliance.

NOTE: Failure to comply with state and federal reporting requirements regarding a Contractor's employees or failure to implement lawfully served wage and earnings assignment orders or notices of assignment constitutes a default under the contract; and failure to cure the default within 90 days of notice by the County shall be grounds for termination of the contract. Principal Owners can contact the

Sacramento Department of Child Support Services at 1-866-901-3212, by writing to P.O. Box 269112, Sacramento, 95826-9112, or via the Customer Connect website at www.childsup.ca.gov .

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

7.6. SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI)*

Provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI). If your firm does not have a UEI, go to:

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration to obtain one.

*Response required

7.7. SOQ (without rate sheet) Attestation*

I, attest, that we are uploading a complete SOQ for at least one discipline below. ***Do not include your rate sheet in this section.***

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

7.8. SOQ – Environmental Special Services (without rate sheet) Upload your complete SOQ here. Do not include your Rate Sheet in this section.

7.9. SOQ – Environmental Assessment and Oversight Services (without rate sheet)

Upload your complete SOQ here. Do not include your Rate Sheet in this section.

7.10. SOQ – Special Inspection Services (without rate sheet)

Upload your complete SOQ here. Do not include your Rate Sheet in this section.

http://www.childsup.ca.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

7.11. SOQ – Geotechnical Engineering (without rates sheet)

Upload your complete SOQ here. Do not include your Rate Sheet in this section.

7.12. Rate sheet (separate)*

Upload your rate sheet here. Confirm that your rate sheet is not attached with your SOQ and is attached separately here.

*Response required

7.13. Confidential sections of SOQ (if applicable)

The County will treat all information submitted in an SOQ as available for public inspection once the

County has awarded a contract. If you believe that you have a legally justifiable basis under the

California Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et. seq.) for protecting the confidentiality of any information contained within your SOQ, you must identify any such information, together with the legal basis of your claim in your SOQ, and present such information in this section as part of your

SOQ response package. The final determination of whether the County will assert a Responder's claim of confidentiality shall be at the sole discretion of the County. Click "file upload" below to upload any SOQ documents you consider to be confidential documents.

7.14. Proposed Contract Exceptions

If proposing any exceptions to the County's Sample Agreement (Attachment A), upload a redlined revision of the Sample Agreement attached to this solicitation here. Any submissions are for negotiation purposes only.

*If no exceptions are proposed, please skip this question.

7.15. Provide the full contact name, title, and e-mail of the signatory for your firm. Provide contact information for the contract manager for your firm in order to distribute contract documents, including other recipients requiring a copy, if awarded.*

Signatory: name, title, email

Contract manager/admin: name, phone, email

*Response required

7.16. PaymentWorks Contact*

Please provide the name and e-mail for a finance point-of-contact for your firm that will receive an invitation to complete the vendor registration process on the County's PaymentWorks portal.

To clarify, if you are set-up with other agencies using PaymentWorks, that information is not available to the County, so you must complete this process for the County.

*Response required